posted by Greg Wilker
I am grateful for the crisp, clear night
After an easing winter’s gentle rain
Bright stars and planets
Glisten with Tiffany’s appeal
A sliver of a moon peaks and begins to descend
Ocean waves gentle on a sandy night shore
I finish another round of work – a little better then the day before
Tuck off to bed, soft and low
A beautiful night – I am grateful for
posted by Aaron Wilker
Today my younger son had an appointment with the DMV in Tracy to take his written drivers exam; to make sure that he arrived there on time with all of the necessary documentation, I worked from my house today. I did not want to drive 40 miles to work, 45 miles back to pick my son up and then 25 miles back in the same direction as my office to get to Tracy. No it was much easier and more cost efficient to work from home today. Yes I did work and actually probably completed more work faster, because there was no one calling me on the phone. My son passed his test, so now I have two that are able to drive…yea! Less driving for my wife and I.
Last week I bought my wife a new car, financing half of it as we try to increase our credit ratings. This economy has been fun, hasn’t it? It is beautiful and fun to drive. I am thinking that she can drive my old car and I will drive the new…. anyway I filled that gas tank on the 6th of February and today is the 16th and we still have not added any fuel to it. The old car would have been filled at least once by now, if not twice. Woohoo for the new car and it’s gas mileage.
I am doing well in all of my business endeavors, my family and I are healthy and
posted by Aaron Wilker
I had a great topic to write about, just yesterday morning, and well showing my age…. I have forgotten what it was. Dooooaaahhh!!!!! I knew that I should have written it down; but in this age of electronics, who uses a pen and a paper any more?
Life is progressing wonderfuly. I have no complaints. Things are moving along like I have planned; some may say slower then planned, but I probably haven’t put any firm time constraints down and if I have….well then it has happened.
It is the beginning of a new year and I really should look at and reevaluate the goals that I wrote down about four years ago. I am pretty sure that I have accomplished some of them by now.
I am grateful for my health, my family and whatever memory that I still have left.
posted by Greg Wilker
I have something that is on my mind… it has been for a few days—weeks even. Though really pressing the past 24 hours. Slavery.
It is painful to learn the depravity that human beings are willing to subjugate others to. It is abhorrent, repelling—frightening perhaps, to see how deep the pit is in which the human soul can fall. “Frightening” because I see that I am not apart from such acts. I am a human being, too. So those people are showing me examples of my capabilities. It is frightening to know just how far I can fall. We can not separate ourselves from the “monsters” of humanity. Humanity is like an ocean, made from many drops—and the ocean is one. So when I read about a horrific act done by another human being, I am also reading about my own potential. I am getting a glimpse into aspects of my own soul that are in need of healing.
I read a brief excerpt from “To plead our own cause : personal stories by today’s slaves” / edited by Kevin Bales and Zoe Trodd. What I read was horrible. And the narrator said there are things that she still can not talk about. This means that it gets even worse then what is written in the pages; I can not imagine anything worse. Maybe more to the point, I do not want to…
And in the midst of such depravity and hopelessness, there are voices of hope, such as Kevin Bales. It lifts my spirit to hear one speak of hope within such situations of seeming hopelessness. I have watched a few videos of Kevin speaking and find that he speaks with hope. He educates one about realities of slavery, not an uplifting topic—yet he continually speaks with hope.
So, today, I am grateful for the voices of hope. The people who continually speak out, and sing out—lifting people’s spirits. For healing comes with hope.
Slavery in Your Pocket: The Congo Connection from Free the Slaves on Vimeo.
posted by Aaron Wilker
How blessed am I that I am able to live in a country where I get to choose who runs our government? Think about that. There are very few countries who allow this. Our problem right now is, there is no one who wants the job, worth putting into that position.
Oh well, I am still grateful that I have a choice. I wonder if elected, if my wife will except the position; because right now, that is who I am voting for.
posted by Greg Wilker
Ah yes, a sweet life… well lived. What more can one ask for? I am just beginning to realize the meaning of “done too soon”. I am just now catching a clue… and there is still so much more to do.
All baby steps… one step at a time. I am so grateful for the friends and family that have been by my side as I walk this life; allowing me to lean on them all at some point when I thought I didn’t have the strength to stand tall… to walk my own step. They allow me to lean—and we walk together.
I am grateful for the poignant moments; touching heart and soul. Smiles within that glow throughout. I think that my grandmother shall be leaving soon. Her’s is a life well lived. A sweet life… filled with home-baked cookies and other fine treats. Warm hugs and loving eyes that glowed with holiday festivities; gathering friends and family together in one great big embrace. No matter the path and choice one made, one is always at home in my grandmother’s presence.
I think of my grandpa who left long ago. His sister, my grandmother’s best friend, who left right before thanksgiving last year… my own father… fathers of friends…
A life well lived. A sweet life. I’m just getting started. Finally, after almost fifty years… I might actually be making some effort to live a sweet life. A life well lived.
And for that—I am grateful.
Good night moon.
Good night friends & family.
Good night grandma.
Good night…
posted by Aaron Wilker
Today’s posting is really about me being grateful for not having to buy my brother a $5 coffee card. I am truly grateful for all of the opportunities that the good lord and life have presented to me; but you have all heard about that already…so today, I am grateful I owe nothing to my brother.
Plllllttttttt!!!!
posted by Greg Wilker
I am grateful for the limitless wonder…
Last night was sleepless, my mind wandering into dark alleys and chaotic scenarios of horror and madness. And through (most of) it, I breathed and found peace. I’d like to think there is value to these journeys of chaos… that what appears mad in the moment is a deepening understanding about Love, Peace and Spirit.
I guess I do believe that these moments of darkness in which peace remains present, these are moments of Hope.
And I am grateful for the eternal, that which is without end—limitless wonder. It fills me with peace and joy…
posted by Aaron Wilker
Well once again, I am at a loss of ideas on what I should write about… what am I grateful for? I am grateful for Love! I am grateful that I have known and loved so many friends in my life. I am grateful for the family members that I love and who love me. When feelings of depression try to creep their way into my life, I just have to look at a photo or two of my family and friends; that sparks plenty of wonderful, loving memories and then depression becomes depressed into a whole lot of loving light. Love is what makes life and life makes love, what a wonderful circle.
“Too all the girls that I have loved, before.” “All you need is love, love. Love is all you need”
posted by Greg Wilker
Oh… yeah.
Times is getting real, yeah? It ain’t no thing for a player to git hit hard and find themselves facing mud like Yertle the Turtle… not an easy thing to be facing when one was so used to just glowing in the rays of the moon. Damn! 2012? Pa-Lease! Twenty down on your knees…
And you know what I am grateful for through all this? Yep. My yoga practice… which is a bit misleading ’cause I’m not as devoted as all that… But I been going at least two to three times a week for some time now. I just knows that I’d quit at any given moment at this point because I just ain’t committed yet. But I think I will… commit to it that is.
Because I am grateful and appreciate the practice. It helps me to focus my mind on the single vision of remaining peaceful while the limits and edges are pushed. Remaining peaceful as the nooks and undiscovered places of resistance become discovered—breath into these places with softness.
Yes. I am grateful for a practice that strengthens mind, body and soul… perhaps one day I will be a peaceful warrior.
Namaste
